Malachi 2:7-8

7. This conduct of Levi corresponded to the divine purpose concerning the priests, who as messengers of Jehovah of hosts should speak and live the truth continually. Marti, following Boehme, considers Malachi 2:7 an interpolation, because (1) it is not needed after Malachi 2:6; (2) it interrupts the connection between Malachi 2:6 and Malachi 2:8, and thus weakens the contrast between the conduct of Levi and that of the present priests; (3) 7b contains two peculiarities: (a) in Malachi 2:5-6 Jehovah is the speaker, in 7b he is referred to in the third person; (b) the term “messenger of Jehovah” denotes in Malachi a being other than the priests (Malachi 3:1). He considers the verse made up of elements taken from Malachi 2:6 and Malachi 2:8. The reasons are not conclusive.

Should keep knowledge The knowledge of Jehovah (compare Isaiah 11:2), which is a clear insight into his moral character and into the requirements which are the outgrowth of this character (compare Hosea 2:20; Hosea 4:1). This the priests should possess in order that they may instruct others.

And they should seek the law at his mouth They, the people. It should be their privilege to consult the priests. Law is equivalent to instruction in the law or in the will of Jehovah.

For he is the messenger A causal clause belonging to the two preceding clauses. His position as a messenger of Jehovah makes it imperative for him to possess the knowledge of Jehovah, and should inspire the people to go to him for advice. In Haggai 1:13, the prophets are called messengers of Jehovah, and in Malachi 3:1, the term is applied to a messenger par excellence, but it does not follow that one and the same author could not apply it here to the priests; in a very real sense the priests were the messengers of Jehovah, for their commission was to make known his will and law.

In Malachi 2:8 the prophet returns to the priests of his own day; they have completely lost sight of their high calling.

Ye are departed out of the way R.V., “turned aside.” From the way in which they should have walked as priests and successors of Levi (compare Malachi 2:6-7). They no longer walk with Jehovah in peace and righteousness (see on Malachi 2:6).

Ye have caused many to stumble at the law R.V., “in the law.” They made the law a stumbling-block both by their false exposition of it and by destroying its authority through their disregard of it in their own lives. A sad contrast to the conduct of Levi, who turned “many away from unrighteousness.”

Ye have corrupted Or, destroyed.

Levi Here with the article, the Levi; used perhaps to express the idea that the covenant was not with Levi as an individual, but with the house of Levi, the Levite in a collective sense the Levites. This covenant (see on Malachi 2:5) they have made of no effect, they have failed to meet their own obligations, and thus they have made it impossible for Jehovah to do his share.